Genesis 35: Lessons from Jacob on Spiritual Renewal After You Sin

Introduction: Jacob wasted thirty years in rebellion. After he deceived his father and brother, he spent 20 years in exile in Haran. Out of mercy and grace, God then called upon Jacob to return to Bethel. In faith, Jacob responded. On his way back to the Promised Land, he met a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus. Jesus blessed him and protected him from the wrath of his brother Esau. Yet, out of complacency, Jacob then backslid in his walk. He settled in Shechem for 10 years and forgot about his promises to God. Living outside of God’s protection, his daughter Dinah was raped. His sons then committed acts of mass murder, theft, and kidnapping. Jacob’s family then faced extermination from the wrathful Hivites in the area. They deserved this fate. Yet, God again showed mercy and grace. He called Jacob home to Bethel. Jacob responded with obedience, and God transformed him. Every person at times backslides in their walk. Here, God reveals seven lessons from Jacob on renewing yourself spiritually after you sin.

First, after God called Jacob’s family back to Bethel, Jacob led his family to repent, purify themselves of their pagan idols, and return to God’s house. From this, God reveals that renewal begins with repentance, purification, and returning to Him. Second, after Jacob and his family renewed themselves, God placed a hedge of protection over the entire family as they returned to Bethel. From this, God reveals that renewal brings the blessings of His protection from your enemies. Third, in Bethel, God confirmed His Covenant with Jacob. His Covenant included many blessings. This included Jacob’s transformation into Israel. From this, He reveals renewal allows you to walk into a Covenant relationship with Him where He will bless and transform you. Fourth, out of gratitude, Israel built an altar for worship and praise in Bethel. From this, God reveals that renewal should include your joyful praise and gratitude for His mercy and grace. Fifth, Rachel died while giving birth to Benjamin. She was under Jacob’s curse for stealing Laban’s idol after the family fled for the Promised Land. Jacob loved her for her external beauty. She symbolized his old life that he would finally leave behind as a transformed man. From this, God reveals that renewal requires that you die to your old ways of the flesh. Sixth, out of jealousy caused by Israel’s favoritism towards Rachel’s sons, Reuben, the firstborn son, slept with Bilhah, Israel’s concubine and Rachel’s former maidservant. From this, God reveals that your renewal may bless your children. Yet, by itself, it will not transform them. Reuben and his other brothers would still need to work through their jealousy and their other sins of the flesh. Their transformation was still many years away. Finally, God blessed Isaac with a long life until he died at age 180. Isaac had a faith that led to his obedience. From this, God reveals that your renewal through faith and obedience brings the blessings of a longer life here on Earth and eternal life in heaven. You may not live to be old. Yet, He will prolong your life.

1. Renewal Begins with Repentance, Purification, and Returning to God. Gen. 35:1-4.

Jacob’s flight to Bethel – Source1

2. Renewal Brings the Blessings of God’s Protection from Your Enemies. Gen. 35:5-8.

3. Renewal Allows You to Walk in a Covenant Relationship with God. Gen. 35:9-12.

4. Renewal Includes Joyful Praise and Gratitude for His Mercy and Grace. Gen. 35:13-15.

5. Renewal Requires that You Die to Your Old Ways of the Flesh. Gen. 35:16-21

The Death of Rachel: Source:[1]

[1] A Trivial Devotion: Jacob: Burial and Growth (Genesis 35:4)

6. Your Renewal May Bless Your Children, But Will Not Transform Them. Gen. 35:22-26.

7. Renewal Brings the Blessings of a Longer Life Here and Eternal Life. Gen. 35:27-29.